IME Blog

Fantastic Beasts
The Harry Potter Series became one of the ‘staple’ childhood movies for many 21st century children. The lovable characters and the movie itself, created by J.K.Rowling, has one of the biggest fan bases in the world. So when an author as popular as J.K.Rowling writes a new series, it’s always questionable as to whether the new one will be as good. Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them is J.K.Rowlings new feature film. It is currently in cinema’s now and was released on the 18th of November.

For those of you who haven’t seen the film or been caught up in the rather late hype that developed about the film, I will make a short introduction to it for you. ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them’ is the first of a 5 part series of movies. The series is a prequel to Harry Potter it’s self – however, J.K.Rowling insist that it is not a prequel but ‘an extension to the wizarding world’ – It’s a prequel! Many people didn’t realise this till going to watch the film. There are however, references to Dumbledore being a teacher at Hogwarts during the time movie rather than the headmaster. Presumably Fantastic Beast’s storyline will become closer to Harry Potter’s time line as the series goes along.

Fantastic Beasts is a screenplay not a book written by J.k.Rowling. It follows Newt in his quest to save magical beings that most of the wizard and witch population fear, and are therefore trying to wipe out. He rescues the creatures and puts them in a huge zoo concealed within the small briefcase he carries. Rather like a Dr Who tardis!

Newt comes to the USA to return one of his creatures to the wild. However, this doesn’t go as planned. His creatures get out, Newt falls into conflict with the US protocol of practice for Witches and Wizards, and his suitcase of creatures falls into dangerous hands.
So that’s a summary of the movie. Now it’s time for some quick trivia! The best bit!

The name Newt Scamander does actually appear on the Marauder’s Map in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It appears J.K. was thinking about Newts character and role long before the Fantastic Beasts series was ever destined to hit the screen. Again this suggests that it is a prequel.

Eddie Redmayne (Newt) worked out A LOT before the movie for a shirtless scene showing all the scars he had received from his creatures. Unfortunately the seen was cut from the final line up.

The series was actually intended as a trilogy, but, in true movie series style has been extended to become five feature length movies!

Eddie Redmayne auditioned for the role of Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets. He was turned down after reading just one line! I guess that show’s how some actors are destined to fit certain characters and not others. However, I do think Eddie portrays a rather lovable Newt!

In the Harry Potter World, Newt’s published book on ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them’ became a best seller and a text book used at Hogwarts.

Newt’s grey and yellow scarf that he wears in the film’s last scene is an indicator that like all our favourite Harry Potter protagonists he was in Hufflepuff while at Hogwarts. J.K. Rowling confirmed these suspicions.

There is so much more trivia to cover, as there always is with J.k. Rowling’s Movies. However, that is all we have time for in this blog post. Remember keep updated for more great and informative movie posts!